The Foster City S.W.A.T. team is part of a regional tactical team comprised of sworn police officers from the Brisbane, Burlingame, Foster City, Hillsborough, San Mateo, San Bruno and South San Francisco police departments.This regional team also consists of H.N.T. (Hostage Negotiation Team) members, tactical dispatchers, tactical fire/paramedics, and a tactical doctor. This entire unit is available for activation 24 hours a day, and can provide assistance to any law enforcement agency within San Mateo County.

Foster City Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team was developed to provide an effective tactical police response to critical life-threatening situations, including armed and (or)barricaded suspects, hostage situations, snipers, ambushes, high-risk warrant service, VIP security, or other unusual situations.

Some of the operators are also eligible to be part of the San Mateo County Terrorism Counter Assault Team (TCAT).The TCAT Team is a specialized emergency response team that consists of tactical operators from established SWAT resources within the county. The team is capable of responding to, and operating in, a weapon of mass destruction environment as an immediate intervention team.

The S.W.A.T. team is equipped with specialized weaponry and equipment necessary for a variety of tactical missions. The S.W.A.T. team maintains and deploys the Colt M-4 and AR-15 assault rifles, Remington sniper rifles, and H&K MP-5 sub-machine guns. Foster City S.W.A.T. Operators are issued Smith and Wesson M&P .40 caliber pistols. Other equipment includes night vision devices, recon robots, ballistic shields, breaching tools, diversion devices, impact/chemical weapons and other mission specific tools. The team also has the capability to deploy command vehicles and armored personnel carriers in response to tactical incidents.